Becoming a Member

Grace Church welcomes all God’s people and recognizes that each person is on a unique faith journey.

If the process of joining Grace sounds complicated, it’s because people who come from different backgrounds may follow different paths to membership. The more important question is not one of joining but belonging. We want you to belong before you join. So, worship with this congregation. Join a class or ministry group. Schedule a meeting with the rector. Get to know other parishioners. Become part of this diverse community of faith.

At some point in the journey, however, we hope that you will choose to establish a formal connection with the congregation. The path is through enrollment of baptism. The sacrament of baptism makes us Christian, not part of a particular denomination or group, but part of Christ’s universal church. Enrolling our baptism declares that we wish to live out the vows of our baptism with a particular congregation.

Already baptized?
If you have been baptized and wish to enroll with Grace, we simply ask you to complete our Grace Episcopal Church Membership Form to declare your desire to register your baptism with this congregation. This process is sometimes called “requesting a letter of transfer” and is a standard practice in many congregations.

Never baptized?
If you have not been baptized, the first step in joining Grace Church is to prepare for baptism by talking with the rector. Baptism is offered at various times throughout the year.

In addition to enrollment of baptism, you may choose to receive the rites of confirmation, reception, or renewal of baptismal vows.

Confirmation is a rite offered in which persons age sixteen or older who were baptized at an earlier age make a public affirmation of their baptismal vows.

Reception is offered for those who were baptized and confirmed at an earlier time in a denomination other than the Episcopal Church. While baptism makes us Christians, confirmation and reception make us Episcopalians.

Renewal of baptismal vows is offered for those with prior experience in Episcopal settings who are renewing their faith and commitment.